The University of Akron Athletics
University of Akron
Valparaiso
Women's Tennis Sweeps Meeting With Valpo and Morgan State
February 20 | Women's Tennis
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AKRON, Ohio — The University of Akron women's tennis team improved its win streak to four matches by sweeping a non-conference doubleheader on Saturday at the LaTuchie Tennis Center. The Zips opened the day with a 5-2 win over Valparaiso in the morning, then defeated Morgan State 6-1 in the afternoon to improve to 8-1 overall.
Against Valparaiso, the Zips took the doubles point after claiming the first two matches. Freshman Luisa Echeverry (Cali, Columbia) and sophomore Waverly Wituski (Springboro, Ohio) handed Meg Modesto and Erin Staal a 6-2 loss at No. 3 doubles to give UA an early lead. Sophomores Sophia Geier (Burgebrach, Germany) and Ariadna Blinova (Riga, Latvia) then posted a 6-2 win over Valpo's Kathleen Hebble and Paige Heuer to secure the point.
In singles play, Akron won four of six matches against the Crusaders. Blinova swept Hebble, 6-0, 6-0, at the No. 1 position before Geier overpowered Heuer at the No. 2 spot, 6-1, 6-2. Sophomores Carli Knezevich (Austin, Texas) and Wituski each recorded singles wins at the No. 3 and No. 6 slots, respectively.
Versus Morgan State in the afternoon match, Akron swept doubles play while claiming five of six singles matches. Blinova, Geier and Knezevich each won their second match of the day, beating their respective opponents in two sets. Echeverry picked up her first singles victory on the day, taking down the Bears' Chelsi Russell, 6-2, 7-6 (5), at the No. 4 spot.
"We came out flat in the first match today, but still managed to pick up the win while playing without several players," head coach Brandon Padgett said. "In the second match, our energy was much better and so was our play. I was happy to see how many of the players performed, playing higher in the line-up than normal. Now we look to get healthier before UMBC comes to town next Sunday."
The Zips will prepare for a lone match at the LaTuchie Tennis Center on Sunday, Feb. 28 against UMBC at 10 a.m. The Zips and Retrievers faced off earlier in the season during September's Akron Shootout.
AKRON 5, VALPARAISO 2
February 20, 2016
Doubles:
1. Sophia Geier/ Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Kathleen Hebble/ Paige Heuer (VU), 6-2
2. Cary Milanes/ Randi Wind (VU) def. Carli Knezevich/ Carla Flores (UA), 7-5
3. Luisa Echeverry/ Waverly Wituski (UA) def. Meg Modesto/ Erin Staal, 6-2
Singles:
1. Blinova (UA) def. Hebble, 6-0, 6-0
2. Geier (UA) def. Heuer, 6-1, 6-2
3. Knezevich (UA) def. Milanes, 6-1, 7-6 (2)
4. Modesto (VU) def. Echeverry, 7-6 (11), 6-4
5. Wind (VU) def. Flores, 6-3, 6-2
6. Wituski (UA) def. Morgan Paras, 6-3, 6-4
Order of finish:
Doubles– 3, 1, 2
Singles– 1, 5, 2, 6, 3, 4
* * *
AKRON 6, MORGAN STATE 1
February 20, 2016
Doubles:
1. Carli Knezevich/ Sophia Geier (UA) def. Chelsi Russell/Danielle Thompson, 6-2
2. Luisa Echeverry/ Ariadna Blinova (UA) def. Cierra Plummer/ Kayla Price, 6-2
3. Waverly Wituski/ Carla Flores (UA) wins by default (incomplete lineup)
Singles:
1. Blinova (UA) def. Price, 6-0, 6-1
2. Geier (UA) def. Thompson, 6-2, 6-2
3. Knezevich (UA) def. Kabamba, 6-2, 6-4
4. Echeverry (UA) def. Russell, 6-2, 7-6 (5)
5. Plummer (MSU) def. Wituski, 6-3, 7-6 (4)
6. Flores (UA) wins by default (incomplete lineup)
Team Records:
Akron (8-1 overall, 0-0 MAC)
Valparaiso (0-5 overall, 0-0 Horizon)
Morgan State (1-2 overall, 0-0 MEAC)
Players Mentioned
